Central Coast Bagpiper Bagpiper for weddings, funerals, formal dinners, memorials, & special occassions

Either a dry space outside or enough headroom along the path of playing for drones to clear. I prefer to have a private room to prepare and tune up in.

Parking options, room name hired or name the event is booked under, set up time, expected performance times and event run sheet so I can prepare and be in the right place at the right time.

I'm am completely self contained. Just lend me your ears.

No Spotify or DJ service offered.

The greatest number of people I've played for is the laying of wreaths for the City of Gosford ANZAC service following the street march. Perhaps the most enjoyable venue has been the West Gosford RSL with an enthusiastic audience cheering and clapping. The most appropriate venue would be an award winning Whisky Distillery, Amber Lane (and yes, I enjoyed the sampling too!)

I feel most honoured to play at funerals. To learn about the family and friends; To witness the love and loss: To help channel that emotion in a positive and meaningful way.

I began playing at university in South Africa under Chris Terry, who made my set of pipes. I continued my training in Scotland for 5 years and have played with the City of Gosford Pipe Band for the last decade. At University I played in a Battle Re-enactment Society and loved it. In Scotland I busked on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. I've always enjoyed Burns Nights and leading the procession of the haggis.

Cool Mor or Piobaireachd is the classical music of the Highland Bagpipes and for me brings the real tradition of piping to life.

I prefer to be at the venue 30min before required to check the layout and walk the performance area. A standard performance would include 15min of playing before a service to welcome guests and perhaps 5min at the end to close or end. Dinners can be choreographed to fit in with the introduction of dignitaries or the serving of courses and other entertainment.

I am happy to play outside and prefer a level surface that is not blocking the movement of people. For the arrival of guests it is more important that they can talk and mingle so it's best not to have the piper right at the door.

I have my preferred lists of tunes that are appropriate for different events, but am always willing to discuss specific tunes that have significance. Happy to provide a list in advance.

I've generally been invited to join the family for wakes following services and in a way it provides another avenue of conversation and distraction, but mostly because by that stage we have created something special. At dinners and weddings, there is something about a man in a kilt that worldwide attracts jokes, curiosity and playfulness. It is rare to get away from a performance quickly as people have always wanted to talk, thank and share memories with me. In all cases the music has been emotionally evocative.

To add something special to the memories you are setting out to create. Bagpipes don't just make noise, they carry emotion across thresholds. They give sound to moments where words are not enough!

As an active member of the City of Gosford Pipe Band I can arrange for additional pipers and drummers to perform at your event. Adding several pipers and a drum corps (Bass, Tenor and Side drums) transforms the performance in to a spine tingling, foot tapping, wet eye experience. Quote will depend on availability.